Date range based on form of publisher's name and address. Cf. Topp, Chester W. Victorian yellowbacks & paperbacks, Vol. I, 1993.

Publisher's advertisement on t.p. verso.

Colour wood-engraved plates are unsigned and without imprint.

Wood-engraved illustrations within the text are unsigned.

Includes "Index." (p. [183]) and "Description of Plates." (p. [184]-188).

With the same setting of type (but lacking signature mark on p. 135) wood-engraved illustrations and plates as used in an edition of this title published in 1861 by Routledge, Warne and Routledge. Illustrations are attributed to Tuffen West in this and other editions. See McLean D 1225.

Wood-engraved illustrations and plates are the same as those used (plates printed without colour) in a yellowback edition of this title published [ca. 1880?] by George Routledge & Sons. See McLean D 1226.

With the same setting of type, wood-engraved illustrations and plates (printed in purple-brown, without colour) as used in a yellowback edition published [between 1895 and 1896] by George Routledge and Sons, Limited. See McLean D 1228

The same wood-engraved plates were used (printed in purple-brown without colour) in another yellowback edition of this title, revised and rewritten by E. C. Bousfield, published [1897?] by George Routledge & Sons, Limited. See McLean D 1229.

MASS copy. Bound in green fine diagonal rib-grain cloth blocked in gold and black. Upper cover blocked in gold and black with decorative designs around an illustration of a microscope. Lower cover blocked in black with publisher's monogram within the same decorative designs. Boards with bevelled edges. With light yellow glazed endpapers. With presentation inscription dated 1890.